According to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s threats to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine may not be false.
There are no restrictions on Putin’s conduct, Austin stated in a Sunday night interview with CNN. Although he erred in choosing to attack Ukraine, he is free to make any other choice.
Putin’s comments were deemed “irresponsible” by Austin, who added that “we are not meant to hear these kinds of threats from the leaders of large countries with significant capabilities.”
After threatening to use Russia’s nuclear arsenal to defend Ukrainian territory acquired after illegitimate referendums, Putin was accused last week of “rapping nuclear swords.”
According to the New York Times, White House officials are evaluating how to respond to Putin’s threats, including cutting off Russia from the global economy or launching a military strike, but the most likely answer is a military counterattack. Western-provided conventional weaponry are being used by the Ukrainians.
Putin is likely to delay using nuclear weapons, according to US sources.
Instead, officials have predicted that Russia will start a cyber-sabotage campaign across Europe, hitting Kyiv’s infrastructure or prominent Ukrainian officials.
Putin’s nuclear threat may be intended to frighten the West into reconsidering its backing for Ukraine or to force Kyiv to enter negotiations from a position of weakness.
After losing the vital town of Lyman in the Donetsk area, hardliners in Russia are putting increasing pressure on the Russian president.
Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of the Chechen nation, urged the Russian military to use “limited nuclear weapons” in Ukraine on Saturday.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, stated last week that he takes Russia’s nuclear threats seriously and does not believe Putin is lying about them.
“Perhaps it was a prank yesterday. Now that it might actually occur, “In an interview with CBS News, Zelensky emphasised that Putin wants to terrify the entire world.
Prior to that, US President Joe Biden charged that Moscow was making “irresponsible” threats to deploy nuclear weapons and that it had violated the fundamental tenets of the UN Charter by initiating a military campaign in Ukraine.
Speaking in front of the UN General Assembly in New York, Vice President Joe Biden condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin for starting an unwarranted conflict that has caused some 40 UN members to provide funds and arms to Ukraine in the conflict.
Austin: It’s possible that Putin’s nuclear threats are real.
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